Imprinting apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. C. WELLS IMPRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 50,

May 19, 1936.

May. 19-, 1936.

- E c. WELLS IMPRINTING APPARATUS Filed March so, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZSnventor WMJvM attorneg Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES MPRINTING APPARATUS Edward 0. Wells, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Platt Iron Works, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of New York Application March 30, 1934, Serial No. 718,119

20 Claims.

This invention relates to the printing or impressing of letters or other characters, and more particularly to typewriters, and the like, or mechanisms, or attachments therefor whereby controlled spacing of the imprinting characters is effected to produce justifled lines.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a typewriter, or the like, for reassociating the type characters of unjustified copy into lines of justified lengthwherein the characters are equally spaced, and having provision for effecting justification into lines of different predetermined length.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a typewriting device having a character spacing mechanism of simple construction movable by steps and including an adjustably variable member for determining the length of a step and mechanism associated therewith for establishing an adjusted positioning of the spacing mechanism that is coordinated with the number of characters in an unjustified line for reproduction of that line to justified length.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a justifying typewriter having a single control that is movable in one path of travel for adjusting the character spacing and is movable in another path of travel for alteration of the justified line length.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims. I

Cross-reference is made to my earlier filed and co-pending application for imprinting apparatus, Serial No. 669,097, filed May 3, 1933.

In the drawings, which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a typewriting device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of Fi 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view as indicated by the line 3-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as indicated by the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of a portion of the space controlling mechanism; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing another portion of the space controlling mechanism.

The drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, illustrate a typewriting device comprising a frame I 0 upon which is mounted a movable carriage II that serves as support for a platen l2 upon which type characters are adapted to be associated. The typewriter has the usual keyboard II and has type bars which 5 are controlled by actuation of the various keys for association of the characters on the platen. As the type bars and associated mechanism may be of well known form it is thought that illustration or further description of these parts is un- 10 which are spaced bearing balls 22 that support 20 a similar ball groove 23 that forms part of the carriage ll. Additional support is afforded by a cross bar 25 suitably mounted on a left hand bracket 26 and a right hand bracket 21 that extend from the frame III. A yoke 28, fixed to the carriage ll, carries rollers 3|] which engage the bar 25 and, with the bearing track, serve to support and guide the carriage.

The platen and carriage are urged to the left, that is, from the left hand margin position of writing toward the right hand margin position, by spring tension. The carriage is manually moved to the right, and is moved to the left by the spring upon release of an escapement. The

movement to the left is in stepped amounts corresponding to character spaces. There is provision for varying the length of a step. As shown, a spring tensioned spool 32, which is supported from the frame structure at 33, has wrapped upon it a ribbon 34 which is attached to the right hand side of the carriage at 35 and by the tension of the spring, urges the carriage toward the left. The escapement mechanism, as shown, comprises a pinion and an escapement wheel ll which are assembled for free rotation on a stud 42 that is carried by a bracket extension 43 of the frame it. The pinion and escapement wheel are operatively connected by an overrunning clutch in the form of a pawl 45 which permits the pinion 40 to move with respect to the escapement wheel 4| for free movement of the carriage and platen to the right, but which locks to prevent move- .ment to the left. A rack bar 46 which is opera-.

tively connected to carriagell normally stands in meshing engagement with the pinion ll, and

an escapement release, indicated generally at 41, engages the escapement wheel and is mounted on the frame Ill. The interconnection of these parts is such that the tension of the spring within the spool 32 is taken by the escapement release which holds the carriage against movement. As the various keys are actuated the escapement release is caused to rock and thus provide a stepped movement of the rack bar and associated carriage. As the escapement and release are of well known form, and these parts as well as suitable operating connections from the release to the type keys may be such as described in the patent to Hess et al. 1,427,464, August 29, 1922, it is thought that further illustration or description of this mechanism is unnecessary to a clear understanding of the invention.

It is to be noted that the escapement and release are of such character as to permit stepped movement of the rack bar in uniform amounts. As mentioned above, there is provision for varying the length of a step. By making such provision the number of character spaces in a line of predetermined length may be varie'd, and consequently lines having different numbers of characters may be re-associated to the same length. To accomplish this the rack bar 46 is mounted on the carriage in such a manner that it has'a limited amount of movement with respect to the carriage and platen in the direction of carriage movement. Mechanism is incorporated between the rack bar and carriage which is adjustably variable and which may be controlled to provide a desired length of stepped movement of the carriage. In addition, the rack bar may move vertically with respect to the carriage an amount suflicient to disengage it from the escapement pinion 40 so that the carriage may be rapidly traversed to the left. As mentioned, rapid traverse to the right is permitted by the overrunning clutch.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the rack bar is shown to be carried by a. control rack that is in turn supported by the carriage. As shown, the rack bar 45 is supported on a control rack which has spaced projecting studs 52 carrying shoulder screws 53 that pass through vertical slots 54 in the rack bar. The slots and screws are so proportioned as to prevent any relative movement between the two racks in the direction of platen travel, and to permit some vertical movement of the rack 45. The vertical depth of the slots 54 is such that the rack may be lifted from engagement with the pinion 48 when it is desired to rapidly traverse the carriage to the left without actuating the space bar of the typewriter. This traversing movement is accomplished by actuating the rack bar release 50 which, as shown, comprises a shaft 55 which is journaled at opposite ends of the carriage and which has fixed to it sleeves 55 with laterally projecting fingers 51 that engage slots 58 inthe rack bar. The slots are somewhat longer than the relative movement of the rack bar and carriage. A forwardly projecting operating handle 50 is also fixed to the shaft 55 so that upon downward movement of the handle 60 the rack bar 46 will be lifted. Downward movement of the handle is resisted by a spring 6| having connection at 82 to a projection on the carriage and at 63 to an'arm on one of the sleeves 56.

The control rack 5| issupported on stud projections 65 on the carriage. Shoulder screws 66 pass through horizontal slots 61 in the control rack and engage the'studs 65. The interengagement of the screws 66 and slots 61 is such that the control rack may move with respect to the carriage in the direction of platen travel and is closely held in a direction perpendicular to this.

The relative movement of the control rack and the rack bar with respect to the typewriter carriage is controlled by a mechanism including an adjustably variable member 10, (Fig. 3) and by a connecting unit H comprising a stub shaft I2 journaled in a downwardly extending arm 13 of the carriage and having rigidly attached adjacent its respective ends a segment H and a driving arm I1. The segment I4 is provided with teeth 15 which mesh with teeth 16 of the control rack 5! and the remote end of the driving arm 'Il is operatively connected to the member Ill.

The adjustably variable member is constructed as a lever having a pivotal support on the frame In, and is provided with an operating mechanism whereby its angular positioning may be adjustably varied; that is, it can be moved to any point throughout its range of adjustment, and the spacing steps of the carriage are adjusted accordingly. As shown, the member is provided with a bracket 80 having a hub portion 8| that is engaged by a stud 82 which is fixed to a bracket 83 extending from the frame Ill. The stud 82 serves as a pivot axis upon which the lever 10 may turn. The lever 10 has a slot 85 for engagement with the end of the arm 11. As shown, the arm end carries a stud 81 upon which are mounted a roller 90 and spaced collars 9|. The roller 80 is of a diameter to be closely received within the; slot 85 and the collars 9| are of sufficiently larger diameter to overlie the sides of the lever adjacent the slot and thus serve to hold the roller within the slot. The slot 85 which serves as'a guideway for the roller 90 is a straight slot and is positioned so that the axis of the roller 98 will move in a line coinciding with the pivotal axis of the member 10.

As the connecting unit I I is supported from the carriage it will move with the carriage. Upon moving the carriage the roller 90 at the end of the arm 11 and engaged within the slot 85 will move along the slot as the lever 10 is supported by the frame In and therefore is carried upon a fixed pivot. The relative movement of the carriage with respect to the racks is governed by the angular positioning of the adjustably variable member or lever 10. when the lever stands so that the slot 85 is parallel to the direction of platen travel the carriage may move on the frame without any movement of the control rack and rack bar with respect to the carriage. The character space movement of the escapement imparted to the carriage when the lever is horizontal corresponds to the normal character spacing of the typewriter. That is, if the escapement is such as to provide ten character spaces per inch of carriage travel the carriage will move in such amounts when the lever stands parallel to the direction of platen travel. If, however, the lever slot stands inclined with respect to the direction of platen travel there will be relative movement between these parts which will slightly vary the amount of a step movementof the carriage with respect to the movement of the escapement. There is, therefore, a controllable mechanism between the rack bar and the carriage so that the character space movement imparted by actuation of the escapement may be adjusted.

A control is provided for adjusting the stepped movement of the platen. This control includes a shaft 83 which is mounted for rotation in brackets 94 that extend from the frame II. A readily accessible control handle I! is provided. and a pinion 88 is fixed to the shaft in intermeshing engagement with the teeth II which are cut in the end of the lever II. The teeth I are cut on. a radius centered on the pivot axis I! of the lever. Rotation of the handle I and shaft 83 therefore serves to adjust the angular podtioning of the lever 10. The interconnection between the control shaft and the lever II is thus such that the angular positioning of the lever may be adjustably varied any extent desired.

The angular movement provided in the lever 10 is sufficient to accommodate the maximum required justifying movement. That is, it will permit an adjustment of space length such as to enable a short unjustified line to be spread to the justified length. In practice it has been found that six space justification is sufficient for all practical purposes. To accomplish this necessitates movement of the lever II to an angular position such that when moving the carriage the distance of the predetermined line length the connecting member II will be actuated an amount to cause a relative movement between the rack bar and the platen of six character spaces in the predetermined line length.

There is a definite angular positioning of the lever Iii at which any unjustifled line should be spaced to reproduce it to justified length. Justified copy consists of lines of uniform length arranged with aligned margins. There is provision in this device for accurately maintaining both line length and margins. The line length is held to a predetermined figure by providing means in the control whereby the lever may be held in predetermined angular positions coordinated to the normal length of character space and the predetermined length of a writing line so that the character spacing may be accurately varied by definite amounts differing by whole character spaces in the predetermined or justifled line length. This positioning means, which is more fully described below, includes a detent plate having angularly spaced notches which are successively engaged by a spring tensioned detent member as the shaft 93 is rotated. The angular spacing of the detent notches is such that rotation of the control shaft between adjacent notches will vary the positioning of the lever I. by an amount sumcient to alter the number of character spaces in a predetermined line length by one whole character space. For example, if

the escapement mechanism is so proportioned to afford ten normal character spaces per inch of travel of the platen and a six inch justified line has been established as the predetermined line length, there will then be 60 normal character spaces in the justified line length. This spacing will exist when the lever 10 stands with the slot parallel to 'the direction of platen travel. As shown, the device is constructed so that the lever Ill may move in a clockwise direction from a normal position as viewed in Fig. 3. Assuming the lever in to be moved to an angular positioning, as the platen is moved from the left hand margin position (as shown in Fig. 3) to the right hand margin position the connecting member II will be given a clockwise movement which will move the control rack 51 and rack bar 46 to the right with respect to the carriage. This. in effect, moves the carriage to the left with respect to the rack bar and escapement and the character space movement per step of the escapement will therefore be greater than when the lever is in its normal positioning. By increasing the angularity of the lever II the character space length is accordingly increased so that. for example. only ll character spaces will occur in the predetermined line length which accommodates I normal spaces.

The control is arranged so that it not only will position the lever to provide character space lengths which are aliquot fractions of the predetermined line length but in addition incorporates meehanism'whereby the space length may be established by reference to characters arranged in unjustified lines as an index in setting the position I of the lever ll so that the proper length of character space movement of the carriage may be instantly and accurately determined. As shown,

the frame I. has upwardly extending brackets III which serve as a supp i't for a copy carrier in the form of a roller Ill having operating handles III. The roller affords a convenient means of supporting uniustifled'copy for association into lines of iustiiledlength. Such copy, when inserted in the carrier, is held in place on the roller by provision of clips I that are slidably mounted upon a cross bar I attached at its ends to the bracket ill.

An indicating pointer [lit extends upwardly toward the roller NH and terminates in an end portion II! that is adapted to register with an unjustified line end. The pointer is operatively connected to the control shaft 93; as will be more fully explained, for movement by normal character spaces. The interconnection of the several parts on the control shaft provides a coordinated movement between the indicating pointer and the lever ll so that movement of the shaft 93 to bring the pointer into registration with any random line end automatically establishes an angular positioning of the lever such as to alter the character space length for reproduction of the indicated unjustified line to the predetermined line length. As shown, the pointer I is affixed at its lower end to abar I III which extends across the machine and is supported from brackets l l-l and I II on the frame. Each bracket carries a shoulder screw 3 which engages a slot I in and extending lengthwise of the bar. A tensile spring H6, acting between a stud ill on bracket II, and a stud Ill on the bar, tends to urge the latter toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2. The left end of the bar ill carries a roller II! which is adapted to selectively engage one of a series of cams carried by the shaft 93. As shown, the roller I I9 engages a cam I20. This cam is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 and has a series of angularly spaced stepped faces which differ in elevation by amounts equal to a normal character space length, and which are in angular extent coordinated to the lever positionings that will produce the different character space lengths. It is pointed out that the pointer registers with unjustified copy. This copy is written at uniform normal character spacing, and the cam is arranged so that the pointer will move by normal character space steps. The difference in elevation between adjacent cam faces, therefore, corresponds to one normal space. As shown, the cam I20 has seven angularly spaced stepped faces so that upon rotation of the shaft 93 the pointer may move from a position corresponding to the predetermined line length to a position six normal character spaces shorter than has angularly spaced notches I22 for successive engagement by a detent member I 23 thatismounted upon brackets III and I24. As shown, the detent member is carried by shoulder screws I25 which project through slots I26 in and extending lengthwise of the member I23. This member is constantly urged toward the left by a spring I21 that is supported on one end by a stud I28 fixed to the bracket III, and at the opposite end by a stud I2! that is part of the member I23. left hand end of the member I23 carries a roller I30 which engages the detent notches. As mentioned above, the detent notches are angularly spaced apart amounts such as to change the character spacing by one whole character space in the predetermined line length. They correspond in positioning to the related car faces.

The control parts are coordinated so that when the cam I20 and detent disc I2I on the control shaft 93 stand so that the zero positioning of Fig. 6 engages the bar I III and detent member I23,

the pointer Illi will stand at the zero position of Fig. 3 and the lever II will stand parallel to the direction of platen travel to produce normal character spaces, that is, ill spaces in a six inch line. To reproduce an unjustified line to justified length the control shaft 93 is rotated until the pointer registers with the last character of the selected line in the copy carrier. This automatically adjusts the positioning of the lever 10 to establish a character spacing such that in reproducing the line the characters will be uniformly spaced to the predetermined line length. The manual act of adjusting the machine thus requires no more of the operator than observation of the unjustified line length, and rotation of the control shaft to bring the pointer into registration with the selected line end. The exact positioning of the control is afforded by the detent mechanism. As the roller is received between the angularly spaced walls of the detent notch a fixed relationship is established which causes the lever III to assume a definite positioning. 7

The control, in addition to the operation described above, is such that an adjusted character spacing may be afforded for reproducing the characters to justified form in lines of diflerent predetermined lengths. This last mentioned operation is effected by an axial movement of the control shaft 93 and is afi'orded by providing duplicated operating interconnections between the lever and the mechanism including the detent and pointer operating parts. The cam I20 and the detent disk I2I are proportioned to provide inclinations of the lever III such as to afford a proper character spacing for a six inch justified line. The diagrammatic illustration of Fig. 6 shows the related angular positionings of the control members for a six inch justified line. As shown, the shaft 43 also carries a cam I2l'- and a detent I2I'. The angular positioning of the detent notches and cam faces of these members are such as to justify a four inch line, that is, a line four inches in length and containing 40 normal character spaces. Here the radial gradation of cam faces or related elevations of the cam faces is the same as for cam I20 so that as the shaft is rotated the pointer will move by normal character spaces. The angular relationship of the parts oi the cam I20 and detent I2I' differ from the angular positioning of the parts of the first described cam and detent by an amount sufiicient to permit adjustment of the lever II for a four inch line. If desired, additional cam and detent pairs may be provided to increase the range of operation of the machine.

Means are provided to maintain the control shaft in the selected axial positioning. As shown, the pinion 93 and handle 94 are spaced apart on the shaft an amount greater than the spacing of the brackets 94 to permit an axial travel corresponding to the axial spacing of the cam and detent pairs. In Fig.2 the shaft is shown in its forward positioning for justifying a six inch line. The shaft is held in this position by arranging the bar III and the member I23 so that they stand on the adjacent sides of the cam and detent pair, and by providing these parts with overlying portions I43 which prevent axial displacement of the shaft. When it is desired to change fmm one line length to another the bar III and member I23 may be moved to the right. As shown, there 'is a handle I H on the bar I III, and an interconnecting mechanism between the bar and the member I23 so that both the bar and the member can be moved an amount sumcient to disengage the overlying portions I40 by one operation of the handle I. As shown, the bar IIO carries a lateral projection I42 having an end portion I43 which interengages a slot I44 on the member I23. The relationship of the slot length and stud positioning is such that both the bar and the member may move freely throughout the normal range of travel. However, upon withdrawing the bar III! beyond its normal range of travel it will pick up the member I23 and move it to the right suiliciently to permit the shaft 93 to be moved axially for engagement of the other cam and detent pair. The pinion 96 is made sufliciently long to accommodate this axial shaft movement.

Suitable stop mechanism is provided for the platen to control its movement with respect to the printing position and to establish the left hand margin position of writing. If desired, the right hand margin position may also be controlled from this machanism but as the lines are written to a predetermined length, a right hand stop is not required. As shown, the carriage Ii has rearwardly projecting lugs I46 which support a bar I41 that extends in the direction of platen travel and is shown in Fig. 2 partly broken away. The bar I41 carries spaced stop members; one of which is shown at I40. Suitable means are provided for holding the stops in fixed relationship on the bar. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the bar is arranged in the manner of the usual typewriter margin release bar, that is, it is provided with a series of notches that are spaced according to the normal character spacing, and means are provided on the stops I48 to engage the notches of the bar and thus be maintained in position. A stop member on the frame is provided for engagement by the stops I48. As shown, a stop is provided in the form of an upwardly extending lug I53 that is fixed to the carriage supporting bar 25.

The carriage stop mechanism, the escapement, and the character space controlling mechanism are coordinated so that an aligned left hand margin of writing is afforded regardless of the adjustment of the space controlling mechanism. This is accomplished by arranging the connection between the member II and the lever III so that it traverses a line extending through the pivotal axis of the lever III, and by proportioning the parts so that in the left hand margin position the pivotal axis of the lever 10 and the axis of the roller 90 f the connecting member II stand in axial alignment. In this position the lever I0 may be adjusted without imparting any movement to the connecting member H. The aligned positioning is indicated by the center lines A of Fig. 2 and B of Fig. 4.

The left hand margin position is established by the positioning of the stop I48. The carriage is held to the left by the escapement. The relationship of the escapement parts and the positioning of the notches on the bar I41 is coordinated with the positioning of the space controlling parts so that the left hand stop I48 may be attached to the bar I 41 in a position that it will engage the stop I50 and the escapement will engage to hold the carriage and platen when the lever pivot axis and the connection axis stand axially aligned. Movement of the carriage to the left is by spring tension applied directly to the carriage. As mentioned, the carriage is held against movement by the escapement. All of the operating parts between the carriage and the escapement, and including the escapement, are always under a biasing tension so that any clearance in the several parts is always taken up in the same direction. There can therefore be no operating error or displacement of parts from loose connections or from the accumulated play of the several working parts.

In operating the machine unjustified copy which is to be reproduced in justifled form is placed in the carrier Hll so that the last charac-- ter space of a line corresponding in length to the predetermined line length will stand in registration with the pointer end I01 when the spacing means is positioned to provide normal spacing. That is to say, the right hand margin limit of the unjustified copy is positioned to correspond to the pointer zero position of Fig. 3 which occurs when the shaft 93 stands in the indicated zero positioning of Figs. 5 and 6. The justifled line length is then established by axially shifting the shaft 93; the shaft being drawn forward to justify to a six inch line or moved rearward to justify to a four inch line. The space length is then established by reference to the unjustified copy and by rotating the shaft 93 to bring the pointer end into registration with the last characer of a selected unjustified line as an index of the proper angular positioning for the lever Ill. The selected line is then copied and is automatically spaced to justified line length. Succeeding lines are copied by advancing the unjustified copy and then rotating the control shaft to index the pointer according to the selected unjustifled line.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A type character associating device of the character described comprising a platen for association of type characters in justified lines, a copy holder for unjustified copy, feeding means for the platen movable by steps, an adjustably variable spacing member operatively connected between the feeding means and the platen for determining the length of a feeding step of the platen, indicating means extending toward the copy holder and movable into registration with a line end of the unjustified copy, and means connecting the indicating means and the adjustably variable member and so coordinating their movements as to establish a space step such as to justify the indicated uniustifled line to a predetermined line length.

2. A type character associating device of the character described comprising a platen for association of type characters in justifled lines, feeding means for the platen movable by steps, an adjustably variable spacing member operatively connected between the feeding means and the platen for determining the length of a feeding step of the platen, means for moving the adjustably variable member, comprising a rotatable control having annularly spaced detent notches spaced to provide a plurality of definite positionings of the spacing member differing from one another by an amount such as to afford one whole character space difference in the justified line length, and a spring pressed member engageable in the detent notches.

3. A type character associating device of the character described comprising a platen for association of type characters in justifled lines, a copy holder for unjustifled copy, feeding means for the platen movable by steps, an adjustably variable spacing member operatively connected between the feeding means and the platen for determining the length of a feeding step of the platen, indicating means extending toward the copy holder and movable into registration with an unjustified line end as an index of the positioning of the adjustably variable member, means connecting the indicating means and the adjustably variable member and so coordinating their movements as to establish a space step such as to justify the indicated unjustifled line, and detent means to hold said indicating means and adjustably variable member in a selected one of adjusted positionings differing from one another by an amount such as to afford one whole character space diflerence in the predetermined line length.

'4. A type character associating device of the character described comprising a platen for association of type characters in justifled lines, a copy holder for unjustifled copy, feeding means for the platen movable by steps, an adjustably variable spacing member operatively connected between the feeding means and the platen for determining the length of a feeding step of the platen, indicating means extending toward the copy holder and movable into registration with an unjustified line end as an index of the positioning of the adjustably variable membe control means for moving the indicating means and the adjustably variable member and having provision for coordinating their movements to establish a space step such as to equally divide the spaces of the indicated unjustified line into the justified line length in associating the characters of the indicated line on the platen, said control means comprising a rotatable shaft having an operating connection to the indicating means and to the adjustably variable member, and detent means providing stop positions of the shaft coordinated to the movement of the indicating means and the movement of the adjustably variable member to establish feeding steps differing from one another by whole character spaces in the justified line length. I

5. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a movable platen, means for moving the platen by steps, means for adjusting the step movement for accommodation of different numbers of characters in lines of different predetermined length, and stop means operable as a unit and selectively effective on the adjusting means to determine the position of the adjusting means to predetermined points so coordinated with different predetermined line lengths as to distribute a desired number of characters as aliquot fractional parts of a desired line length.

6. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a movable platen, means for moving the platen by steps, means for adjusting the step movement for accommodation of different numbers of characters in lines of different predetermined length, a plurality of stop means selectively operable for a plurality of different line lengths and each affording stop positions of the adjusting means coordinated to a single predetermined line length for distribution of diflering numbers of characters as aliquot fractions of the selected line length.

7. In a type character associating device of the character described for association of type char acters in justified lines, a copy holder for unjustified copy, a movable platen, adjustably variable spacing means for moving the platen by character steps of varying length, adjusting means for the spacing means providing fixed positions of adjustment of the spacing means coordinated with the number of characters and the line length for distribution of the steps as aliquot fractions of a desired line length, and indicating means registrable with an unjustified line end as an index and movable with the adjusting means for establishing the positioning of the adjusting means by reference to an un-,- justified line end.

8. In a type character associating device for association of characters in justified lines, a copy holder for unjustified copy, a movable platen, means for moving the platen in steps of varying length, adjusting means providing fixed positions of adjustment of the moving means coordinated with the number of characters in a line and the line length for distribution of the characters in steps that are aliquot fractions of a desired line length, indicating means comprising a pointer movable by character space steps corresponding to the spacing of unjustified copy into registration with an unjustified line end as an index of the adjusted positioning of the platen moving means, and a common operating means for coordinated movement of the indicator and space adjusting means.

9. In a type character associating device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a movable platen, means for moving the platen by spaces of varying length, a plurality of adjusting means of differing space length characteristics selectively operable for positioning the platen moving means and each affording a plurality of adjusted positionings coordinated to a different predetermined line length, and a single control movable in one path of travel to selectively engage a desired adjusting means and movable in another path of travel for positioning the selected adjusting means.

10. In a type character associating device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a movable platen, means for moving the platen by spaces of varying length, a plurality of adjusting means comprising axially related members of annular form and of differing space length characteristics selectively operable for positioning the platen moving means and each affording a plurality of adjusted positionings coordinated to a different predetermined line length, and a single control connected to the adjusting means and axially movable for selective engagement of a desired annular member and rotatably movable for adjustably positioning the selected annular member.

11. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a platen for association of the characters, means for moving the platen by character space steps, means for varying the length of the character space step movement comprising an adjustable member, an axially movable and rotatable shaft connected to said adjustable member for adjustment thereof by rotation of said shaft, detent means comprising a plurality of detent members axially spaced on the shaft and selectively operable to provide predetermined positionings for said adjustable member, said detent members each afiording a plurality of related positionings coordinated to a different predetermined line length, and means for selectively engaging a detent member.

12. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a frame, a platen for association of the characters, means for supporting the platen for movement with respect to the frame, means for moving the platen by character space steps, means for varying the length of a character space movement comprising an adjustable member, an axially movable and rotatable shaft connected to the said adjustable member for adjustment thereof by rotation of said shaft, means for indicating the positioning of the adjustable member, detent means comprising a plurality of detent members axially spaced on the shaft and selectively operable to provide predetermined positionings for the adjustable member coordinated with respect'to the number of character spaces in a predetermined line length, said detent members each affording a plurality of related positionings coordinated to a different predetermined line length, and means on the shaft coordinated in positioning to the detent means for operation of the indicating means, said shaft being adapted for manual movement longitudinally of its axis for selective coaction with a desired detent means and engagement with a coordinated operating connection to the indicating means.

13. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a platen for association of the characters, means for moving the platen by character space steps,

means for varying the length of a character space step comprising an adjustable member, a rotatable shaft connected to said member for rotation by said shaft, said shaft having a plurality of related pairs of cams and detent means, an indicator movable to indicate the positioning of the adjustable member and adapted for actuation by a cam, a detent member adapted for engagement with a detenfmeans to hold the detent means in fixed positioning, each cam and detent pair affording coordinated positionings for the indicating means and the adjustable member for varying the space length adjustment in predetermined amounts for a predetermined line length, and operating means for selectively engaging a cam and detent pair with said indicator and detent member respectively.

14. In a device of the character described for association of type characters in justified lines within predetermined margin limits, a carrier for unjustified copy, a frame, a platen for association of characters, means for supporting the platen for movement with respect to the irame, means for moving the platen by steps, means for varying the extent of a step movement comprising an adjustable guide member pivotally supported on the frame, mechanism operably attaching the platen supporting means to the adjustable guide member including a connection movable along said guide member and located at the pivot axis 15. In a device for associating type characters into justified lines from a like association of characters in unjustified lines, a holder for unjustified copy, a platen, an adjustably variable spacing member therefor, control means for varying the adjustment of said spacing member to vary the length oi? a platen step, and means operable with said control means for registering with an unjustified line. end of unjustified copy on the holder to automatically adjust said spacing member for space steps such as to reproduce the lines to justified length.

16. In a type character associating device of the character described for associating type characters in justifled lines, a copy holder for unjustifled copy, a movable platen, adjustably variable spacing means for moving the platen by character steps of varying length, adjusting means for the spacing means providing fixed positions of adjustment of the spacing means coordinated with the number of characters in a line and the, line length for distribution of the characters in steps differing by one whole character space in the desired line length, and indicating means registrable with an unjustifiedline end 01 unjustified copy on the holder and having an operating connectioh with said adjusting means for establishing the positioning of the adjusting means to reproduce the indicated line to justifled length.

1'7. In a device of the character described for associating type characters into justifled lines, a movable platen, adjustably variable spacing means for the platen, stop means to position the spacing means at predetermined points coordihated to different justifled line lengths and the number of characters in a line and comprising related groups of stops, one group for each line length, the stops of each group being coordinated for a particular line length, and a control memher for selecting a desired stop group and for selecting the stop of the desired stop group.

18. In a device of the character described for associating type characters into justifled lines, a

carrier for unjustified copy, a movable platen, adjustably variable spacing means for the platen, stop means to position the spacing means at predetermined points coordinated to the difierent line lengths and the number of characters in a line and comprising related groups of stops of which the stops of each group are coordinated to a single line length, a control selectively movable to a desired stop group and for moving the selected group to select a particular stop, and means movable by the control into registration with a line end of the unjustified copy as an index of adjustment of the control to position the spacing for reproduction of the indicated line to justifled length.

19. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justified lines, a'movable platen, means for moving the platen by steps, means for varying the extent of step movement comprising an angularly adjustable member located adjacent to and below the normal position of said platen and supported for movement on a horizontal axis which extends transversely with respect to the line of movement of the platen, said member having a guideway thereon, a connecting member pivotally supported on the platen and having an operating attachment to the platen moving means and to said guideway, the guideway attachment being such that the effective connection thereto in the marginposition of the connecting member coincides with the pivot axis of the angularly adjustable member whereby the adjustable member may be adjusted in the margin position without imparting movement to the connecting member and platen, and stop means determining several positions of adjustment of said angularly adjustable member coordinated with the number of characters in a line and the line length for distribution of the characters in steps difiering by one whole character space in the desired line length.

20. In a device of the character described for association of type characters into justifled lines, a platen, movable supporting means therefor, an escapement, variable spacing means operatively connected to the platen supporting means, and rack means providing an operative connection between the variable spacing means and the escapement comprising a rack in meshing engagement with the variable spacing means and supported for movement on the platen supporting means in the direction of platen travel, a second rack normally engaging the escapement and operatively connected for movement with respect to the first rack in a direction transverse to the line of movement of the first rack and movable from its normal position to disengage the escapement for rapid traverse of the platen while meshing engagement of the first rack with the variable spacing means is maintained.

EDWARD c. wan-s. 

